Wildlife of
Ireland

Toward the end of the last Ice Age, some 2.6 million years ago, rising sea levels cut Ireland off from the European mainland. This led to the evolution of some uniquely adapted animals on the Emerald Isle, Ireland’s nickname for its immense greenery. Twenty-six terrestrial mammals are native to Ireland, including the Irish hare, the Irish stoat, the Irish grey partridge, and ten species of bats. Though well over 450 unique bird species call Ireland home for at least part of the year, all but two of these species are migratory.

Ireland is known for other species that have flourished there – like the Connemara pony, the athletic ponies known for their sweet dispositions, intelligence, and hardy good health. Wild herds of these ponies run wild in Connemara today, while Connemara ponies are bred all over the world to be show horses.

Galway sheep is a breed that originated in Galway, in the west of Ireland. These large, white-faced sheep are known for their characteristic bob of wool on the tops of their heads and for their wooly legs. Galways are mostly raised for meat but there are efforts to promote the use of their wool.

Far more animal species flourished in Ireland throughout the Ice Age, including the wooly mammoth, the wild horse, the Irish elk (also called giant deer), and a brown bear species thought by biologists to be an ancestor to today’s polar bear. Predatory human hunting likely contributed to these animals’ extinction.

The Official National Animal of Ireland

There’s some controversy over Ireland’s national animal. Many people think it should be the Irish elk; however, this species is extinct. The Irish elk was a large deer about the size of the biggest moose, with the largest antlers of any deer ever to have lived – 13 feet across. These giant deer went extinct during the last ice age around 10,000 years ago – along with dire wolves, saber-tooth tigers, cave lions, mastodons, and others.

The next best choice is the Irish hare, which is the only lagomorph native to Ireland. Irish hares are significantly larger than rabbits, weighing as much as 8 pounds. They’re famous for the predatory boxing behavior they display during early spring as part of their mating rituals. It’s likely that the famous March hare in “Alice in Wonderland” was intended to be an Irish hare.

This sub-species of the mountain hare wears a coat of reddish brown in summer which fades to gray-brown in winter. The Irish hare’s eyes are large on the side of its head and it sports a pure white tail. Like all hares, the Irish variety is a herbivore that eats grasses, heather, herbs, sedges, willow, gorse, and bilberry in winter.

The Top Wild Animals can be found in Ireland’s National Parks

While some Irish fauna like the red fox, the badger, the otter, and the pygmy shrew are fairly evenly distributed throughout the island, others like the Irish hare, the red deer, and the pine marten are more likely to be found in one of Ireland’s six national parks and numerous nature preserves.

From herds of red deer in County Kerry’s Killarney National Park to herds of wild ponies in Connemara – Ireland’s national parks and nature preserves offer a feast for the eyes of every animal and nature lover. The stunning beauty of the green hills spotted with castles and the oceans of breaching whales feature opportunities for spectacular adventures.

• Wicklow Mountains: Protected fauna in the Wicklow Mountains National Park include otters, bats, and endangered bird species such as the whooper swan and the peregrine falcon.
• The Burren: If you want to glimpse the pine marten in its native habitat, the place to go is Burren National Park in County Clare.
• Killarney: In 1981, County Kerry’s Killarney National Park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The yew and oak woodlands comprising this park are some of the only forests remaining on the island and are home to Ireland’s only indigenous herd of red deer.
• Glenveagh: Golden eagles were thought to be extinct in Ireland for many years. Then a breeding pair was sighted, and in 2000, this endemic bird species was reintroduced in Glenveagh National Park where it survived and thrived. Glenveagh also contains Ireland’s largest herd of red deer.
• Connemara: Connemara is most famous for its wild Connemara ponies. According to popular folklore, these mammals originally descended from ponies brought over by the Vikings during the Dark Ages. Connemara also hosts a variety of birds, including chaffinches, kestrels, and snipes, during the warmer months.
• Ballycroy: Ballycroy National Park is a birdwatcher’s delight, hosting dippers, sandpipers, whooper swans, and rare predatory birds such as merlin and peregrine falcons.

Native Birds

Over 450 species of birds reside on the island country, most of which fly through on migratory journeys. Ireland’s geographically isolated location creates unique habitats for a variety of bird species. Bird watching has become a favorite hobby of the locals – and Ireland is a premiere destination for birders worldwide.

Local organizations have set up multiple nature reserves in vulnerable areas, including estuarine marshes, grasslands, and forests, to help protect some of the country’s most adored and threatened avifauna. A few examples of reserves are:

• Kicoole – Grassland behind a shingle beach.
• East Coast Nature Reserve – Murrough Wetlands
• Cuskinny Marsh – Shoreline lagoon, grassland, woodland
• Sheskinmore Lough – Shallow freshwater coastal lagoon set in machair (flat, sandy) grasslands.
• Bishop’s Island – Sallows (lowland grassland) subject to spring flooding

Many other reserves exist in the country. Some particularly sought-out species found within these areas are:

• Puffins
• Greenland White-fronted Geese
• White-tailed Eagles
• Razorbill
• Ringed Plover
• Rose Tern

While many of these beautiful, interesting birds do nestle into natural areas, many common species are also found in locals’ gardens and backyards, making Ireland an exciting place for bird-watching.

Largest Animal

After all native deer had been hunted nearly to extinction, deer had to be reintroduced to this remote island country. By the middle of the 19th century, the last home of the red deer was in the woodlands and mountains of Killarney, County Kerry. The red deer of Kerry is now the only population that is a descendant of the deer brought to Ireland from Scotland 5,000 years ago. Other red deer have been transported since the 1900s and thanks to rigorous protection, are growing in numbers. Red deer are currently the largest land animal in Ireland. Red deer that are not protected in the national parks have been bred with silka, another species of deer imported from Japan, making the red deer of Kerry even more special.

Red deer have a rich, reddish brown coat which fades to greyish brown in winter. Mature stags carry magnificent racks of antlers – containing up to 20 points. The male red deer use their antlers to battle for dominance during mating season.

Native Fish

While the land scenery of Ireland is truly one of a kind, the surrounding coastlines and ocean offer great opportunities for fishing, along with the inland rivers and lakes. Listed below are some of the top spots for fishing in Ireland:

• Cork Harbor – Lined with fishing boats, it is quite obvious that this natural harbor is an excellent area for fishing. Popular species caught here include sea bass, mullet, blonde ray, pollack, conger eel, and blue shark.
• Lakeland Fishery – Three stocked, freshwater lakes offer a quiet, promising spot for carp fishing. Overnight stays are possible through rental lodging.
• The Great Western Lakes – The limestone base of these lakes makes the water alkaline, leading to higher productivity and faster growth rates of fish. The lakes are especially good for trout and salmon fishing.
• Lough Currane – Lough Currane can be considered one of the best trout and salmon fishing spots because it lies directly upstream from the ocean. Wild brown trout populations are high in these waters. Fly fishing is the most popular method of catching here. White-tailed sea eagles were reintroduced to the area, making it popular for birdwatching, as well.
• The River Moy – Fly fishing, spinning, and bait fishing the Moy prove fruitful for catching salmon, as the river is known to be the country’s most productive salmon fishing hotspot, reeling in over 6,000 salmon per year. Large salmon swim the river in spring, averaging nine pounds. Spring salmon run from April to June, while smaller, summer salmon are more prominent in July.

Deep sea fishing and freshwater fishing are both rewarding in Ireland and sightseeing is easy on these excursions.

If you had rather go on a whale-watching excursion instead of catching fish – those are available in Ireland too! From County Cork, minke whales arrive in March and are followed by humpback whales in April. Fin whales can be seen from June onwards. If you don’t fancy a boat ride -visitors to Ireland are able to see these whales from the coasts if the weather is favorable.

Native Snakes

Even though snake species have made their way to Britain, no snake species exist in Ireland and there are no recorded fossils of snakes in the country. Most scientists believe that the most recent ice age, the same one that caused the Irish Elk to become extinct, led to the island being cut off by the cold surrounding seas and keeping snakes out.

Many people believe that the Christian missionary, Saint Patrick, drove the snakes out of Ireland during the fifth century A.D. According to legend, Patrick, also the patron saint of Ireland, chased the snakes into the sea after they attacked him during a 40-day fast that he was taking on top of a hill. Ireland is one of only a few places in the world – including New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica where snakes don’t exist.

The Most Dangerous Animals In Ireland are Extinct

Contemporary Ireland has had a few dangerous types of animals. Until the beginning of the 18th century, however, grey wolves were common throughout much of Ireland. According to popular folklore, Cormac Ulfada, the most famous of the ancient High Kings of Ireland, was raised by grey wolves and was fluent in their speech.

Wolves and humans maintained an uneasy truce until the decade after Oliver Cromwell conquered Ireland and an enormous amount of anti-wolf legislation was passed. Historical facts show that professional wolf hunters swarmed into Ireland from all parts of Europe, and today, wolves are extinct on the Emerald Isle. The last wild wolf in Ireland is reported to have been killed in 1786.

Zoos in Ireland

Ireland offers stunning views of architecture, natural landscapes, and beautiful wildlife, proving an exceptional travel destination. Adding to the draw are the zoos, wildlife parks, and aquariums that visitors can explore to gain a better understanding of local and exotic flora and fauna. Here are some of the top-rated zoos to visit in Ireland:

• Dublin Zoo – The Dublin Zoo was founded in 1831 by a group of private physicists and anatomists. The London Zoo was the main donator of original species. Now, the zoo features over 600 animals of different species, all in enclosures resembling natural habitats. Animals reside in social groups and are capable of breeding and reproducing on their own. The Dublin Zoo is a registered charity and partners with zoos around the world to further conservation efforts. Animal species include elephants, wolves, colorful birds, sloths, and many others.
• Belfast Zoo – Sitting on 55 acres of land, the Belfast Zoo offers an extensive list of animals for viewing purposes. The zoo suffered damage during WWII but was able to rebuild and bring in more species, now holding around 120 different species. The Belfast Zoo aids conservation efforts around the world and is constantly improving its systems.

Both zoos mentioned providing an incredible way to spend time while in the country learning about animals and worldwide conservation work. Other aquariums and wildlife parks are available to visit, as well.

Rarest Animals

Sadly, there are animals in Ireland that have gone from being part of the everyday landscape to becoming a rare sight. Endangered mammals in Ireland include the otter, the pine martin, and the red squirrel. Unique fish like the gillaroo, pollan, and goureen are also in danger of becoming extinct.

The great yellow bumblebee is an insect that is almost extinct in Ireland. Widely distributed across the country in the past – the bright yellow bee has declined so rapidly that it is now known to be in only a few places. It emerges from hibernation later than most other bees – preventing it to coincide with when grassland floras are at their peak.

The Flag of Ireland

The flag of the Republic of Ireland is a rectangular flag divided into three wide vertical stripes in green, white, and orange, with the green stripe closest to the flag pole. The flag was designed to symbolize the inclusion and union of the people of different traditions on the island of Ireland. According to the constitution of the Republic of Ireland, every person born in Ireland is part of an independent Irish nation, regardless of ethnic origin, religion, or political conviction.

The green of the flag represents Roman Catholics, the orange represents the minority protestants that were supporters of William of Orange. The white in the center signifies a lasting peace and hope for union between the protestants and Catholics of Ireland

Killarney National Park is Most Popular in Ireland

There are six official national parks in Ireland and all are equally beautiful. We covered them in a section above but we wanted to provide a little more information on Ireland’s most popular park, Killarney. Located just outside Killarney town, the park offers stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife including red deer, famous lakes, and historical buildings. Explore the lakes on bike trails or kayaks or take a walk or hike to explore the McGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range.

Visit all six national parks of Ireland for adventure-seeking opportunities, such as trekking, cycling, fishing, boating, and much more!